What’s going for it? North Norfolk? Don’t get me going. Three parts idyllic (dunes, stately homes, salt marshes, what’s not to like?), one part pathologically posh, verging on the twee. There are only so many heart-shaped wall-hangings embossed with the word LOVE one needs in life. Anyhow, the surge of twee poshness peaks around Burnham Market and Holkham, before calming down at Wells-next-the-Sea, thanks to a good dose of amusement arcades, novelty windbreaks and “proper” fish ’n’ chips bringing it down to earth. You can still get an eyeful of fanciness (try the pretty Buttlands, all Georgian windows Farrow & Balled to the hilt), it’s just evened out by ordinary pleasures, like crabbing over French’s chips on the quay, trundling along not one but two narrow-gauge railways, and mooching around crazily crammed secondhand bookshops selling 1980s cookbooks on microwave cookery for 50p.
The case against Not cheap, but where is round here, unless you head towards Fakenham? Let’s just say it’s a modicum cheaper than the Burnhams. Storm surges, floods and the travails of low-level living in the age of sea-level rises.
Well-connected? Despite the Wells & Walsingham and beach railways (awfully lovely, not awfully convenient), you need a car. Driving: 45 minutes to Cromer, an hour to King’s Lynn, both of which are on the railway. That coast road is veeeeerry sloooooow. The bus is half-hourly in summer to Cromer (60 minutes) and King’s Lynn (90).
Schools Just the one primary, Wells-next-the-Sea, and secondary, Alderman Peel High, both “good”, says Ofsted. Double phew.
Hang out at… There’s only one place you need know about: French’s Fish Shop, purveyors of mighty fine haddock. Can’t vouch for the saveloy.
Where to buy Anywhere you can. There’s everything from 30s council cul-de-sacs to dreamy Georgian town houses, and everywhere’s in walking distance of the centre and the seafront. A nice line in whitewashed or flint cottages. Around the Buttlands is poshest, with the old High Street perhaps next in line. A few flats in the converted looming granary and elsewhere. Town houses and detacheds, £350,000-£700,000. Semis, £190,000-£370,000. Terraces and cottages, £170,000-£350,000. Rentals: a very small market, heavily seasonal, three-beds around £1,000pcm.
Bargain of the week Two-bedroom, ex-council brick semi close to the centre, £185,000 with arnoldskeys.com.
From the streets
Carole Rolt “We have a poetry festival, a triathlon, film festivals, a motorbike show, a carnival and Wells Christmastide: not bad for a town of 2,500.”
Michael Smith “I love the road to Wells down the Stiffkey valley, past East Barsham Manor, from where Henry VIII walked to Walsingham. Here you can step into the shrine centre for a cuppa or pint.”
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Do you live in Woolwich, south-east London? Do you have a favourite haunt or pet hate? If so, please email lets.move@theguardian.com by Tuesday 30 December.
